Tulalip News

Noam Chomsky: Canada on high-speed race ‘to destroy the environment’

Noted linguist tells the Guardian “the most powerful among us are the ones who are trying to drive the society to destruction”

Noam Chomsky speaking in Trieste, Italy. (Photo: SISSA/cc/flickr)

By Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams, November 1, 2013

Canada is on a race “to destroy the environment as fast as possible,” said noted linguist and intellectual Noam Chomsky in an interview with the Guardian published Friday.

Chomsky took aim at the conservative government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which has pushed forincreased exploitation of the tar sands,muzzled federal scientists, championed the Keystone XL pipeline and gutted environmental protections.

Harper’s pro-oil, anti-science policies have been the target vocal, widespread opposition, including recent sweeping mobilizations by Indigenous communities like the Elsipogtog First Nation fighting fracking exploration in New Brunswick.

“It means taking every drop of hydrocarbon out of the ground, whether it’s shale gas in New Brunswick or tar sands in Alberta and trying to destroy the environment as fast as possible, with barely a question raised about what the world will look like as a result,” Chomsky told the British paper, referring to Harper’s energy policies.

Yet there is resistance, he said, and “it is pretty ironic that the so-called ‘least advanced’ people are the ones taking the lead in trying to protect all of us, while the richest and most powerful among us are the ones who are trying to drive the society to destruction.”

His comments echo those he wrote this spring in a piece for TomDispatch entitled “Humanity Imperiled: The Path to Disaster.” He wrote: “[A]t one extreme you have indigenous, tribal societies trying to stem the race to disaster. At the other extreme, the richest, most powerful societies in world history, like the United States and Canada, are racing full-speed ahead to destroy the environment as quickly as possible.”

To organize around climate change, Chomsky told the Guardian that progressives should not frame it as a “prophecy of doom,” but rather “a call to action” that can be “energizing.”

As the country continues what David Suzuki called a “systematic attack on science and democracy” and “we are facing an irreversible climate catastrophe like the tar sands,” Canada’s race to disaster shows no signs of abating.

5 Visionaries of the Pacific Northwest

By Richard Walker, Indian Country Today Media Network

Out of the Pacific Northwest come some visionary ideas for the protection of rights, exercise of sovereignty, intercultural understanding and meeting our future energy needs. Several of the leaders profiled in ICTMN’s recent compilation of tribal climate-adaptation plans were from Northwest tribes.

There are standouts in other areas as well. Whether they’re ensuring a long-term, sustainable energy supply, educating youngsters about Native history or standing up for prevention of violence against women, these five people are rocking the world with their forward thinking, innovation and commitment to social justice.

1. Deborah Parker, Tulalip: Protecting Native Women Under VAWA

Deborah Parker, Tulalip (Photo: MSNBC)

Parker had a vision of an America in which Native American women received the same protection from violence as other women got. The freshman Tulalip Tribes Council vice chairwoman put her lobbying skills—and her personal story as a survivor of physical and sexual violence—behind the effort to win protections for Native women in the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Partly as a result of her efforts, the latest version of VAWA empowers tribal law and justice officials to arrest and prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against women on tribal lands. Previously, federal prosecutors declined to prosecute a majority of violent crimes that occur in Indian country, including a large number of sexual abuse–related cases.

While lobbying for expansion of VAWA, Senator Patty Murray, D-Washington, cited data showing that statistically, in one year alone, 34 percent of Native women will be raped, 39 percent will be subjected to domestic violence, and 56 percent will marry a non-Indian “who most likely” would not be held liable for any violent crime committed if the tribal provisions were not included in the legislation.

“It’s a better bill because it not only ensures that existing safeguards are kept in place, it also expands protections to cover those who have needlessly been left to fend for themselves,” Murray said.

2. John McCoy, Tulalip: Teaching Native Culture in Public Schools

John McCoy, Tulalip

His leadership in the Washington State House of Representatives has yielded empowering legislation: Native culture now must be taught in public schools. Tribes can also start and operate their own schools. Tribal governments can gain control from the state over criminal and civil matters on Tribal lands. Qualified tribal police officers can become state-certified, giving them the authority to arrest non-Indians and enforce state law on tribal lands.

McCoy is chairman of the legislature’s Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee and is widely viewed as a strong voice for education and technology. He’s a champion of economic development on and off the hill. As general manager of Quil Ceda Village on the Tulalip reservation, he helped guide development of the village into an economically diverse community. It’s now the second-largest jobs provider in Snohomish County.

3. Gabe Galanda, Round Valley Indian Tribes: Paving the Red Road to Recovery for Inmates

Gabe Galanda (Photo: Courtesy Galanda & Broadman)

The efforts of this Seattle-based lawyer are helping Native Americans in prison to walk the red road to recovery. Galanda formed the nonprofit organization Huy (pronounced “Hoyt”) essentially meaning “I’ll see you later.” (Coast Salish people do not have a word for “goodbye.”) In Washington state, Huy won changes in policies that blocked Native American inmates’ access to traditional religious practices and sacred items.

Huy is lobbying for similar changes nationwide. The organization asked the U.N. Human Rights Committee for an inquiry into restrictions upon Native inmates’ religious freedoms, and appeared as a friend of the court in support of those freedoms. Galanda argues that restricting such freedoms violates federal, state and international law. For some Native inmates, walking the red road while behind bars is the only road to rehabilitation and survival.

“Today’s powwow, everything that we do is to give back, to show our kids and our families that we’re going to work on getting back to those ways, getting back to spirituality and things that matter,” inmate Seymour Ruben told the Cheney Free Press during an August 1 powwow at Airway Heights Corrections Center.

4. Jeff Morris, Tsimshian: Revolutionizing Energy Conception and Consumption

Jeff Morris (Photo: Washington State Democrats)

Morris’s leadership in and out of the Washington State House of Representatives has changed the way Washingtonians think about and consume energy. During his tenure as chairman of the House Energy Committee, he has helped enact laws that improve energy efficiency and facilitate investment in green technology in the Evergreen State. Washington was one of the first states to adopt energy efficiency laws on appliances; by 2020 those efficiencies will conserve enough energy to power more than 90,000 homes, Morris has said. The legislature created minimum efficiency standards and testing procedures for 18 categories of electrical products.

The state Commerce Department must identify barriers to achieving zero net energy consumption and ways to overcome those barriers in updates to the state energy code. Recent changes to the state energy code are expected to result in a 70 percent reduction in energy use in new homes and buildings by 2031. Long-term loans are available to enable consumers to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements; borrowers repay the loans in their monthly utility bills.

When he’s not at the state capitol, Morris leads an institute that instructs U.S. and Canadian legislators on energy infrastructure and delivery, enhancing their ability to ensure that the region has a stable, secure and affordable energy supply and delivery system.

5. Darrell Hillaire, Lummi Nation: Standing Strong Against Drugs

Darrell Hillaire (Photo: Lummi Nation News)

The former chairman and current treasurer has never been afraid to take tough measures to improve the quality of life for his people. During his chairmanship, the Lummi initiated the Community Mobilization Against Drugs Initiative, which launched a tough yet culturally based attack on drug abuse in the community—investing in resources for investigation and prosecution, drug testing, surveillance cameras, banishment of dealers from the reservation and burning down drug houses.

This year he showed his creative chops, becoming a multimedia producer to improve intercultural relations and non-Native understanding of the Lummi and their story. He produced an audio version of a popular book on Coast Salish culture; a short film on a foster child’s return home to the reservation, including a dream sequence featuring animated Coast Salish figures; and a stage production on unkept promises from the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. The play has been performed before sellout crowds at Bellingham High School, Silver Reef Casino Hotel Resort and Seattle University.

Hillaire also used the productions to build intergenerational relationships, involving elders as well as students from the Lummi Youth Academy he founded.

High school football week 9 stories and photos

Jennifer Buchanan / The HeraldMarysville-Pilchuck wide receiver Chris Jones catches a long touchdown pass in front of Glacier Peak's Austin Hines during Friday night's game. — Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Marysville-Pilchuck wide receiver Chris Jones catches a long touchdown pass in front of Glacier Peak’s Austin Hines during Friday night’s game.

Source: The Herald

Championship week in high school football did not disappoint, with close games deciding Wesco 4A and the Cascade Conference, and Marysville Pilchuck steamrolling their way into the state playoffs. See Herald photos from MP’s and Lakewood’s victories in our photo gallery and catch up on all the action in our stories below:

• Wesco 4A championship: Lake Stevens shocks Edmonds-Woodway late
• Wesco 3A championship: Marysville Pilchuck runs away with Wesco 3A title
• Cascade Conference championship: Lakewood holds on to take title
• Kamiak clinches final 4A district berth
• Mountlake Terrace earns final 3A district berth
• Snohomish beats Mariner for first win of season
• Cascade beats Monroe to wrap up district No. 3 seed
• Oak Harbor beats Meadowdale to earn home playoff game
• Archbishop Murphy 52, Granite Falls 10
• La Conner 52, Darrington 20
• Lummi 51, Tulalip Heritage 6
• Marysville Getchell 47, Shorewood 12
• Mount Vernon 52, Jackson 32
• Sultan 54, Coupeville 21
• Here’s a look at this weekend’s playoff matchups.

And look for more scores, schedules and stories throughout the season on our high school football page.

American “democracy” in action: 60 corporations contribute $22m to stop WA GMO labeling bill

by Global Justice Ecology Project

November 2, 2013-MapLight, a nonpartisan research organization that tracks money’s influence on politics, has updated the campaign finance data on the ballot intiatives in Washington state to make labeling of foods containing GMOs mandatory.

A MapLight analysis of campaign finance data from the Washington Public Disclosure Commission as of October 30, 2013 shows the Top 10 contributors on the supporting and opposing side and the geographic origin of the contributions.

From MapLight’s Voter’s Edge in Washington State

I-522: GMO Labeling
(Requires labeling of food products made from genetically modified organisms).

Contributions from Supporting Interests

Total Raised: $7.7 million from 10,500 donors

1 DR. BRONNER’S MAGIC SOAPS $1,840,635
2 CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY ACTION FUND $455,000
3 MERCOLA.COM HEALTH RESOURCES LLC $300,260
4 ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION $298,076
5 PRESENCE MARKETING, INC $260,000
6 PCC NATURAL MARKETS $230,274
7 NATURE’S PATH FOODS USA INC $178,700
8 FOOD DEMOCRACY NOW $175,000
9 WASHPIRG $168,121
10 WEILAND WILLIAM T. $150,000

Contributions from Opposing Interests

Total Raised: $22.0 million from 60 donors

1 MONSANTO $5,374,484
2 DUPONT PIONEER $3,880,159
3 PEPSICO $2,352,966
4 NESTLE USA $1,528,206
5 THE COCA-COLA COMPANY $1,520,351
6 GENERAL MILLS INC $869,271
7 CONAGRA FOODS $828,251
8 DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC $591,654
9 BAYER CROPSCIENCE $591,654
10 BASF PLANTSCIENCE $500,000

Background: The initiative, I-522, is a sibling to California’s 2012 Proposition 37 (GMO Labeling): many of the major contributors in this race also contributed to committees for or against Proposition 37, and the recent spike in opposition dollars echoes last year when the opposition to Proposition 37, according to the LA Times, “bankrolled” a “media blitz” in the final stretch.

Monsanto’s absurdity reaches new heights

By Jim Hightower, 3 November 2013, Climate Connection

It was my privilege to go to Des Moines recently for a World Food Prize extravaganza recognizing Monsanto’s work against global hunger. But wait, Monsanto is not a hunger-fighter. It’s a predatory proliferator of proprietary and genetically engineered seeds.

That’s why I wasn’t actually attending the ceremony to bestow a false halo on the corporate giant. Rather, I was one of more than 500 scruffy “outsiders” in the city’s First United Methodist Church to protest the Monsanto absurdity.

There, real-life Iowa farmers spoke plainly about the countless abuses they have endured at the hands of the genetic manipulator.

One pointed out that if the corporation genuinely gave even one damn about hunger, it could’ve used its immense lobbying clout in Washington this year to stop Congress from stripping the entire food stamp program from the Farm Bill. Instead, Monsanto didn’t lift a finger to help fend off hunger in our own country.“It doesn’t care at all about feeding the world,” the Iowa farmer said with disgust. “It cares about profits, period.”

Indeed, Monsanto is a pitch-perfect example of what Pope Francis was referencing in May, when he declared: “Widespread corruption and selfish fiscal evasion have taken on worldwide dimensions. The will to power and of possession has become limitless. Concealed behind this attitude is a rejection of ethics.”

How ironic, then, that Monsanto bought this year’s World Food Prize for itself, just to masquerade as a world hunger fighter, hoping to persuade the Vatican to bless its demonic effort to force the world’s poor farmers to buy and become dependent on its patented seeds.

The World Food Prize Foundation says it recognizes contributions for “agriculture.” But Monsanto has zero to do with agri-culture. It’s the agri-business face of the unethical, selfish, corruption that the Pope warned about.

Lakota Marathon Runners Chase Down Dreams at the NYC Marathon

By Cliff Matias, Indian Country Today Media Network

Last year, five Native runners from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota made a trip to the Big Apple as part of Team One Spirit. Their mission was to complete the 2012 IMG New York City Marathon and raise money for a youth center in their community. But when Super-storm Sandy struck at the end of October, the race was cancelled.

That disappointment didn’t stop the “Lakota Five,” as they later became known, from trying again. This year, Team One Spirit returned to NYC to finish what they started.

Nupa White Plum finished with the best time, completing the 26.2-mile course in 3 hours, 21 minutes, 17 seconds; Alex Wilson’s time was 3 hours, 41 minutes and 51 seconds; Kelsey Good Lance finished in 3 hours, 57 minutes, 7 seconds; and Amanda Carlow, the team’s only female runner, finished in 4 hours, 38 minutes and 20 seconds.

The fifth member, Jeffrey Turning Heart, Jr., suffered a knee injury at Mile 9, but he completed the race, finishing in 6 hours, 43 minutes, and 26 seconds.

Jeri Baker founder of Team One Spirit was overjoyed with the team’s finish. “This is just the beginning of something big,” Baker said. “These runners have become role models in their community; an inspiration for young Native youth, who now look to running with a sense of excitement and pride.”

Team One Spirit in Central Park, left to right, Alex Wilson, Nupa White Plume, Jeff Turning Heart, Amanda Carlow and Kelsey Good Lance

“There are those who say it was reckless, selfish and plain stupid, but in the end, this was a 22-year-old dream that came true for me,” Heart said.

The mission of this year’s run was to raise copy8,000. At the conclusion of the race, they exceeded that goal with donations still coming in. These five Lakota runners have brought a new sense of pride to the Pine Ridge community and, perhaps, a renewed interest in running to the entire reservation.

“Running is in an important part of our community,” said Dale Pine, the team’s coach. “We need it to help the youth stay fit, fight off diabetes and give them something to strive for…I know we are really making progress because before we left [for New York City] Team One Spirit hosted a Halloween run for the youth; and despite the cold weather, and snow on the ground, we had over 50 kids out there running.”

Community Conversations with Dr. Becky Berg, Superintendent, Marysville School District

US Army to Recognize American Indians Throughout November

Source: Indian Country Today Media Network

American Indians have valiantly served in the United States Army in every war in American’s history, as well as in peacetime. They serve at the highest per capita rate among any ethnic group. And 25 Natives have received the nation’s highest award for valor – the Medal of Honor.

With contributions like those, U.S. Army leaders Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III tri-signed a “National American Indian Heritage Month” letter for the November observance.

“Throughout our Army’s 238-year history, American Indians have served valiantly and with distinction in times of peace and war, while also fighting for the right to be an equal part of our nation,” the Army leaders said.

Native Americans have served greatly for the Army and the nation, but the relationship with America hasn’t always been amicable, according to an article at the U.S. Army website.

Last year Maj. Gen. Gregg Potter addressed Soldiers and guests during the November Native American celebrations at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He was then commander of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence according to the Army website.

“Native American heritage celebrations are very, very important because we learn about other cultures,” Potter said then. “The Army has not always done so well with understanding other cultures. Native American Heritage Month is very important because that is a culture that we didn’t understand.”

The U.S. Army article shared numbers from Dr. Betty D. Maxfield, chief, Office of Army Demographics, that show 8,138 America Indians who served in the Army in 2012. Of these, 3,705 were active-duty enlisted, 92 were warrant officers and 405 were officers. The Army National Guard had 2,483 enlisted, 56 warrant officers and 159 officers. The Army Reserve had 1,055 enlisted, 22 warrant officers and 161 officers.

“American Indians have a distinguished legacy in our Army – many thousands have served in the armed forces from the early days of the Revolutionary War, in support of the Lewis and Clark expedition, as Scouts with the U.S. Cavalry and as Code Talkers in World War II,” the letter reads. “This legacy continues today with the brave Soldiers who have served and continue to serve in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. We are proud of their service and honored by their sacrifices.”

The U.S. Army will hold installations Army-wide honoring American Indians with special events like tribal dances, art exhibits, food and historical displays throughout the month.

Big Lots comes to Marysville Mall Nov. 8

Marysville Big Lots Store Manager Dan Hanlon shows off the store’s seasonal stock, ready to help shoppers get into the holiday spirit.— image credit: Kirk Boxleitner — Marysville Big Lots Store Manager Dan Hanlon shows off the store’s seasonal stock, ready to help shoppers get into the holiday spirit.
— image credit: Kirk Boxleitner

By Kirk Boxleitner, Marysville Globe Reporter

MARYSVILLE — Its official grand opening isn’t until 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, but the employees of the new Big Lots store at the corner of the Marysville Towne Center Mall have already gotten used to passersby taping on the glass to try and get a sneak peak.

Marysville Big Lots Store Manager Dan Hanlon explained that his roughly 60 employees have had 25 days to prepare for the ribbon-cutting, during which Big Lots District Manager Sheila Marquis will present a check for $1,500 to Totem Middle School.

“When I was working for Restoration Hardware and we opened an outlet in this area, I noticed that the folks from Marysville would buy more small shelf stock,” said Hanlon, who’s worked in retail “all my life” and lived in Snohomish County for the better part of a decade. “That’s when I knew that Marysville was looking for a good discount store. When I started working for Big Lots three years ago, they hired me to work here, but because of the construction on this facility, I worked at the Bellingham store instead for two years.”

Hanlon believes that Big Lots’ ever-changing selection of affordably priced goods is tailor-made for the shoppers of Marysville.

“We have a lot of people in Marysville who are blue-collar, hard-working and looking for great bargains,” Hanlon said. “We’re here for the community, and not just to offer them great deals. All of our workers are from the community. When we sent out the call for employees, we got 300 applications in three days.”

While Hanlon was promising first-day, first-through-the-door customers an assortment of giveaways, gift cards and other prizes, Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Caldie Rogers was singing the praises of the new store.

“Big Lots is a big win for our downtown core and community,” Rogers said. “How big a win? Studies prove that shoppers favor a shoppers’ destination, offering multiple shopping venues, rather than traveling to a single store.”

Rogers has no doubts that the shoppers who are drawn to Big Lots will explore the rest of Marysville’s surrounding downtown core of merchants.

“Add to that the win of new jobs that they have brought with them, and then double that win recognizing that the increased sales tax revenue generated will help our city fund the expanding services and infrastructure needs for our growing community,” Rogers said. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Big Lots, and thank you for investing in our community.”

Election in county, state could bring significant changes

In races in the county and state, the outcomes could reshape government and raise larger issues.

Source: The Herald

Tuesday’s election features a series of races that could reshape politics locally.

And some races around the state that could have national implications.

In Snohomish County, three of the five seats on the County Council are in contention — and at least two new faces will join the council

Councilmen John Koster and Dave Gossett are being forced to give up their seats because of term limits.

Ken Klein, a Republican who is an Arlington city councilman, and Bill Blake, a Democrat who is an Arlington utilities supervisor, are competing for Koster’s seat representing District 1, which covers most of north Snohomish County.

In south Snohomish County, Republican Bob Reedy faces Democrat Terry Ryan for Gossett’s seat in District 4. Ryan is a former Mill Creek mayor and city councilman who works commercial real estate with Seattle firm Kidder Mathews. Reedy is a lifelong resident of south county who worked in customer service for Mill Creek-based Jaco Environmental, but said he recently took a job in marketing. The district includes Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Brier and north Bothell, as well as unincorporated areas such as Alderwood Manor and Silver Firs.

In District 5, in southeast Snohomish County, incumbent Dave Somers is running against Chris Vallo of Lake Stevens, a real estate broker seeking his first term in public office. Vallo ran for county assessor and lost in 2011.

The district covers eastern Snohomish County, including Snohomish, Monroe, Maltby, Sultan, Gold Bar and Index.

Dozens of other candidates are running in races in cities around the county. In Lynnwood, Mayor Don Gough is being challenged by Nicola Smith, a dean at Edmonds Community College.

In Mukilteo, Mayor Joe Marine is going against City Councilwoman Jennifer Gregerson.

Stanwood and Monroe will both have new mayors. Stanwood Mayor Dianne White is stepping aside. Les Anderson, who served on Stanwood’s council from 1993 to 2001, and current Councilman Leonard Kelley hope to step into her job. Anderson is employed by Mill Creek’s public works department. Kelley is retired.

In Monroe, Mayor Robert Zimmerman also decided against seeking re-election. Ed Davis, who has served on the City Council for two years, and Geoffrey Thomas, a former city council member who served six years in 2009, are seeking Zimmerman’s job.

Davis works as a surface security inspector for the federal Transportation Security Administration. Thomas works as senior legislative analyst for the Snohomish County Council.

As of Friday afternoon, 65,740 ballots had been returned or about 15.7 percent of the 419,275 ballots mailed to voters countywide.

Around the state, in SeaTac, a campaign backed by labor unions seeks to raise the minimum wage to $15 for many workers. In Whatcom County, an unprecedented amount of outside money is influencing an election that may shape whether the area becomes home to the largest coal shipping terminal on the West Coast.

Statewide, voters will decide whether to label genetically modified foods in a campaign that has drawn hefty donations from food industry businesses.

Todd Donovan, a professor of political science at Western Washington University, said the unique thing about this year’s ballot, which voters must postmark by Tuesday, is that a random assortment of campaigns has drawn so much attention from outside the state as organizations seek to use this year’s vote as leverage.

“Both sides are looking at what happens in Washington. It’s going to make it harder or easier to advance their policy goals,” Donovan said.

In Seattle, incumbent Mike McGinn and opponent Ed Murray, a state senator, have waded into national discussions about the minimum wage, coal and gun control. Meanwhile, a state Senate race that could shape the balance of power in the chamber has become the most expensive legislative contest in state history.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman is forecasting a fairly average off-year voter turnout of 51 percent, well below the 81 percent last year when the presidential race and major issues like gay marriage and marijuana legalization were on the ballot.

Donovan said the issues this year have created an interesting dynamic. In Whatcom County, for example, voters in the county council race are weighing whether the proposed increase in coal trains through the region will add jobs, affect traffic and have any local environmental impacts.

But the coal industry and environmental groups that are funding the campaigns see something much bigger, Donovan said. To them, it’s a battle over issues such as climate change and business.

“They’re thinking globally, but here it’s much more about how it affects people locally,” Donovan said.

Meanwhile, labor groups have been pushing nationally this year for a $15 minimum wage, and the SeaTac initiative could provide those proponents a success story they can use as a foundation. The initiative to label genetically modified foods has become a $30 million campaign, with most of the money coming from food industry groups in opposition of the measure.